Joshua 22:24

22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)

23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;

And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?

25 For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
KJV
And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
WEB
“If we have not out of concern done this, and for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your children might speak to our children, saying, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
ASV
and if we have not [rather] out of carefulness done this, [and] of purpose, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with Jehovah, the God of Israel?
DARBY
and if we have not done it from fear of this thing, saying, In future your children will speak to our children, saying, What have ye to do with Jehovah the God of Israel?
BLB
And nevertheless, we have done [it] from fear of this thing, saying, hereafter your⁺ sons may speak to our seed, saying, ‘And what have you⁺ to do with YHWH, God of Israel?
ÅB
men sannelig, vi gjorde det av frykt for hva som kunne hende, for vi tenkte at deres barn engang kunne komme til å si til våre barn: Hva har dere å gjøre med Herren, Israels Gud?
OTB
Nei! Vi gjorde det av bekymring for at i fremtiden kunne deres etterkommere si til våre: 'Hva har dere å gjøre med Herren, Israels Gud?
B1930
men sannelig, vi gjorde det av frykt for hvad som kunde hende, for vi tenkte at eders barn engang kunde komme til å si til våre barn: Hvad har I å gjøre med Herren, Israels Gud?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Joshua 4:6

    That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:19

    For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 6:20

    And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

    Read in context
  • Genesis 30:33

    So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 13:14

    And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

    Read in context